Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Noticed that particular section had gone

That's got to have been the most used Forum on the bbs - NOT

LOL

ex-webby

hehe

The section was deactivated this morning along with new product launches.

It was a tricky decision and something I would love comments on.

Whilst the discoutn section is potentially a benefit to the community (the whole reason we're here), the advertisers are paying to keep the site going, so in some ways, it is unfair to advertise some products for free.

Comments would be gratefully received.

Regards

webmaster

APJ

No probs with that, webmaster, commercial sense really. Discounts can be offered through SIDC to all. Would much rather have Scoobynet and no discounts then t'other way round!

Andrew

BladeRnnr

Webmaster (Simon) ,
i can appreciate getting rid of dealer discounts but a couple of individuals (yep me included) have used the Bbs to pedal our ware's in the new products area. One lad in holland produced some excellant fog light covers that were a lot less expensive than any other suppliers and as for myself i produced an intercooler splitter which is selling here and in Europe. (though not in vast quantities)(Bloody wish it would!)

The problem is this ,
i can't afford advertising as i make splitters in my part time and the Bbs provided a much needed place to inform people of what was available.
I Know that space is at a premium but why not incorporate new products as a sub directory in general or for sale.
just to help the small flegling busines'out !

ex-webby

Hi BladeRnnr

This is exactly my concern

Combined with the fact that the discounts / new products would be of benefit to the community, which is the only reason this site is here.

The space is not an issue, we can easily make room, but.. the tricky one is simply that it is unfair on paying advertisers, if some can advertise for free.

I am REALLY commited to finding a solution to this, so I am GENUINELY asking for suggestions of how this could be done in a fair way.

A well respected (by me and the majority of people who post on here) member emailed me today to request that an offer was included in the Discount schemes section, and I had to turn him down.

Ideas?

Cheers

Simon

Neil Smalley

A solution may be would be to offer the products(like the splitter) thru the scoobynet advertisers. I.e as a third party product from them. All warranty, risk etc is borne by the makers and indeed the contract is with them too but the supplier does the 'advertsing'. for a small %age in the price i'm sure most would do it.

This would advantage the 3rd party as they still get thier wares sold and the advertisers because they get extra buisness through the door(footfall etc)

Obviously where a 3rd party sold competing items this would'nt work but then that would be an incentive to advertise on scoobynet would'nt it?

The small 'garage' hobbyist maker(such as the splitter) could then 'piggyback' on the back of a paying advertiser. This would also benefit them as it could open up a market for thier inventions.

Larger companies would then have to pay to advertise in order to get a higher profile. Just like real life

Just one of my dumb *** ideas

[This message has been edited by Neil Smalley (edited 10 August 2000).]

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

How about a "Scoobynet 2" reportage/"tried & tested" type thing.

All magazines do it. People send in wares & the editors give it a small byline & a verdict. This would obviously be scooby based (notice some of the Ad blokes offer differnt products [Internet/Job etc] so wouldn't upset them) & innovative & interesting things would get an airing. This would obviously be a bit more like an "e-zine" & only "testers" would be allowed to post in that forum.

The benefit for the maker is that they get a profile for that particular product (& themselves), for us lot [of bbs'ers] an unbiased appraisal & for the "web team" a chance to obtain more [future] advertisers & (depending on the companys) kit for free

An idea for thinking about...

Rum*

I'm with Puff on this one....

Sorry I hope you don't mind being called Puff....

In fact just in case you do I take it back....

Start again....I'm with Puff The Magic Wagon on this one

Mark Underwood

I am not fussed either way as an advertiser. Not only am I willing to support the scoobynet with advertising but we offer discounts to all sidc members and sometimes other who see us thru this medium.

I enjoy helping out users of this bbs and will happily continue to do so to give my time to all who have a problem with the appearance of their motor car. Just part of the service. Time consuming yes it is but far more important is that I have great fun and its very very rewarding especially when |I meet the faces behind the board names or natter with them on the dog and bone.

Advertising in the scoobynet is very very reasonable and in my mind is totally affordable. U only get back what u put in that is output equals input.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Rum*

Nice holiday? Call me Puff or whatever I post on RSOC so used to abuse, besides, it's the scoob's name, not mine

Mark

Catch a glimpse of the shine of PTMW! in the Gallery

DominicA

Mark,

any chance of a freebie tester for my RB5 as i'm dying to try your products but am reluctant to buy the kit without trying first as i've still got loads of Autoglym stuff left.... sorry for the cheekiness but would like to give it a try first....

Dom

Stupot

I benefited from the splitter Bladernnr sold me and i think it would be a shame not to have the chance to utilise the products people make as a sideline. The bigger companies do not always make the best products andthey are usually dearer too. Like puff said, lets have a tried and tested area.
Stu (shackled to the railings )

Rum*

Puff,

Top jollies thanks...

Now have to clean the car, then can have serious driving this weekend!

Rum

RichS

Webmaster,

Sounds like you need to differentiate between 'hobbyist' suppliers and 'full time business' suppliers.

Of course you need to play fair with paying advertisers - after all it's their money helps to keep Scoobynet2 afloat.

However a flashy professional banner ad surely doesn't compare to a text thread hidden away in a lesser visited section of the bbs.

Perhaps if you / we defined what a 'hobbyist' supplier was, and only let THEM advertise in a new products section, you could keep the paying advertisers happy AND still allow for products such as BladeRnnr's splitter to appear on the bbs.

If my company paid to advertise on Scoobynet2, I wouldn't worry too much about part time, short run manufacturers of specialist products, providing they weren't blatantly ripping off my own product and undercutting me.

Easy for me to say - how about dome comment on this from existing paying suppliers?

Rich (tell me to shuddupayaface) Small

RichS

oops!

that should be "some comment" not "dome comment"

ex-webby

Hi All

If this can work I can't see a problem, the only trouble... There have been NO requests from existing advertisers, and I am sure there would actually be no problem, but I just believe in being fair and honest...

How do we find a fair way of deciding who can and can't advertise in there?

Maybe it would be fairer for this type of 'enthusiast' advertising to be done in the Private forum. That way, it will be up to all of us to decide whether it is apropriate (sp?).

Comments?

Regards

Simon

sunilp

Ok, here is a possible line of thought...

If a company does what it does as a full time business on a significant scale, ala "GGR, Scoobysport, Wax Wizard, BR Developments, Insurance Broker, Alloytech etc" then they are classed as paying advertisers.

If it is done on a part time, much smaller scale, one product hobby type ala "Michael Ferries intercooler splitters or Dutch Man fog lamp covers, Joe Bloggs grill mesh etc" then they can punt for free in the forum.

Make sense?

Sunil

RichS

Sunil

That's exactly what I mean!

Rich

sunilp

Yeah, probably, i didnt actually bother to read the other posts before adding my bit so its prob what someone like you said anyhow!

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

I was thinking more along the lines of "X Supplier" submitting new goody to "Webbie" & his team. They try it & test it & post a precis/report in a closed forum or faq.

I believe in that way that all suppliers, big & little, would be able to have a product tested by the target audience & the results shown. I don't think that it would encroach, or get on the toes of, any advertiser, as I'm sure they would as well be subbmitting items for testing.

GavinP

How about an "Enterprise Zone" for non-VAT registered individuals/companies ?

This would distinguish between small-scale suppliers and commercial companies.

Thanks

Gavin



[This message has been edited by GavinP (edited 12 August 2000).]

sunilp

48k odd thousand a year might be too high a threshold, then again it might not but do companies want us knowing their turnover and who is going to police this?. They will have to submit certified accounts......

[This message has been edited by sunilp (edited 13 August 2000).]

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Sunil

You offering to be Scoobynet's Accountant?

(At a small fee, of course )

LOL